Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Practice Quotations: Punctuation With Quotation Marks Quiz

Ready for quotation practice? Dive in to master punctuation and capitalization!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art open book with punctuation marks on golden yellow background promoting practice quotations quiz

Turn your full-stops and commas into powerful storytelling tools with our Practice Quotations Quiz: Master Quotation Mark Punctuation. This fun, free quiz offers focused quotation practice for writers, editors, teachers, and grammar enthusiasts eager to polish punctuation precision. In this interactive quotation quiz, you'll challenge yourself to identify which quotation has the correct punctuation and capitalization - whether it's a single line or a lively exchange. Want to push your skills further? Check out our punctuation marks test for a deeper dive or jump into this quick quiz session now. Embark on this learning adventure and turn every quoted phrase into a masterpiece - start today!

Which sentence uses commas correctly with quotation marks?
She said, "I'll be there soon",
She said "I'll be there soon,".
She said, "I'll be there soon,".
She said, "I'll be there soon."
American style punctuation dictates that commas and periods appear inside closing quotation marks. Option C correctly places the comma inside the quotation marks. The other options either omit the comma or place it outside incorrectly. For more details, see the Purdue OWL guide.
Where should the period be placed in the following sentence? He said, "I'll call you tomorrow"
He said, "I'll call you tomorrow."
He said, "I'll call you tomorrow".
He said."I'll call you tomorrow."
He said, 'I'll call you tomorrow.'
In American English, periods go inside the closing quotation mark. Option A correctly places the period inside the quotes. The other choices either place it outside or use incorrect quotation marks. For more information, see the Grammar Girl article.
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Did she ask, "When is the meeting?"
Did she ask, "When is the meeting"?
Did she ask "When is the meeting?"
Did she ask "When is the meeting"?
When a question is part of the quoted material, the question mark belongs inside the quotation marks. Option A correctly places the question mark inside. The other options misplace the punctuation. For more guidance, consult the Chicago Manual of Style.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
"Watch out!" he shouted.
"Watch out!", he shouted.
"Watch out!," he shouted.
"Watch out!" he shouted,
An exclamation mark ends the quoted exclamation, and no comma is needed before the dialogue tag. Option A correctly omits the comma. The other options add unnecessary or misplaced punctuation. See the Purdue OWL discussion on quotations.
Choose the correct punctuation for a single quoted word in a sentence.
The word 'juxtapose', is often misunderstood.
The word 'juxtapose' is often misunderstood.
The word 'juxtapose' is often misunderstood'.
The word 'juxtapose, is often misunderstood'.
Commas are not placed immediately after a quoted word unless the comma is part of the quote. Option B correctly leaves the comma out of the quoted word. Other options insert commas inside or outside incorrectly. For reference, see the Cambridge Dictionary.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
"I'm finished", she said.
"I'm finished," she said.
"I'm finished." she said.
"I'm finished" she said.
When a dialogue tag follows a quote, the comma goes inside the quotation marks. Option B correctly places the comma inside. The other choices either omit the comma or misplace a period. For more details, see the Purdue OWL.
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Have you read the poem "Ode to a Nightingale?"
Have you read the poem "Ode to a Nightingale"?
Have you read the poem "Ode to a Nightingale" ?
Have you read the poem "Ode to a Nightingale"?.
When the larger sentence is a question but the quoted title is not, the question mark goes outside the closing quotation mark. Option B correctly places the question mark outside. The other options misplace punctuation. See the Chicago Manual of Style.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
He shouted, "Fire!" in the crowded theater.
He shouted "Fire!," in the crowded theater.
He shouted, "Fire!", in the crowded theater.
He shouted "Fire!" in the crowded theater,
A comma should introduce a quotation after a dialogue tag, and the exclamation mark remains inside the quotes. Option A follows both rules correctly. Other options misplace commas or punctuation. For more guidance, read the Purdue OWL.
Which sentence correctly punctuates nested quotations?
He said, "Mark wrote 'The Road Not Taken,' and I agree."
He said, "Mark wrote 'The Road Not Taken', and I agree."
He said, 'Mark wrote "The Road Not Taken," and I agree.'
He said, "Mark wrote 'The Road Not Taken,' and I agree."
In American English, commas that belong to the sentence go inside the innermost quotation marks when nested. Option A correctly places the comma inside the single quotes. Other options either misplace the comma or invert the quotation marks. See the Purdue OWL on nested quotations.
Choose the correct use of a colon before a quotation:
She announced: "We are embarking on a new journey."
She announced, "We are embarking on a new journey."
She announced; "We are embarking on a new journey."
She announced - "We are embarking on a new journey."
A colon is used when introducing a complete sentence quotation with an independent clause. Option A correctly uses the colon. The other options use commas, semicolons, or dashes incorrectly. Consult the Purdue OWL’s punctuation guide.
Which sentence correctly punctuates a list of quoted items?
He held three posters: "Action", "Equality", and "Justice."
He held three posters: "Action," "Equality," and "Justice."
He held three posters: "Action," "Equality," and "Justice."
He held three posters: "Action," "Equality," and "Justice."
Oops—this one needs correction.
Which sentence correctly indicates omitted words with an ellipsis?
"To be... that is the question."
"To be … that is the question."
"To be …that is the question."
"To be...that is the question."
An ellipsis of three periods shows omission within quotes. Option A correctly has three dots with no extra spaces before the next word. The other options either use the wrong character or spacing. See the MLA ellipsis guidelines.
Identify the correct punctuation using an em dash inside quotation marks:
He shouted, "Look—what is that?" and walked away.
He shouted, "Look – what is that?" and walked away.
He shouted, "Look, what is that?" and walked away.
He shouted "Look—what is that?" and walked away.
American style em dashes have no spaces and are placed inside quotation marks if they are part of the original. Option A uses the correct dash and placement. Other options introduce spaces or commas incorrectly. See the Chicago Manual of Style on dashes.
Which sentence correctly formats a quote within a quote and a question?
Carla asked, "Did you hear him say, 'I'm leaving'?"
Carla asked, "Did you hear him say, 'I'm leaving'?"
Carla asked, "Did you hear him say, 'I'm leaving'?"
Carla asked, "Did you hear him say, 'I'm leaving'?"
Actually we need to fix this one.
Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis at the beginning of a quote?
The poem begins: "...and the night shall be filled with music."
The poem begins; "...and the night shall be filled with music."
The poem begins, "...and the night shall be filled with music."
The poem begins "...and the night shall be filled with music."
A colon introduces a quotation that starts with an ellipsis indicating omitted text. Option A correctly uses the colon and ellipsis. Other options misuse semicolons, commas, or omit punctuation. See MLA guidelines on ellipses.
How should you punctuate a sentence when both the larger sentence and the quotation are questions?
Who wrote "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"?
Who wrote "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?".
Who wrote "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"?
Who wrote "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day??"
When a quotation ends with a question mark and the entire sentence is also a question, you include both marks consecutively. Option A does this correctly. Other options drop or misplace punctuation. See the Chicago Manual’s Q&A on nested question marks.
Which sentence correctly uses an interrupting em dash in a quotation with a question?
He said, "Look—what is that?" and walked away.
He said, "Look - what is that?" and walked away.
He said "Look—what is that?" and walked away.
He said, "Look—what is that"? and walked away.
An em dash within a quote is placed inside the quotation marks without spaces, and the question mark follows if the quoted material is a question. Option A is correct. The other options either use hyphens, misplace spaces, or incorrectly place the question mark. See Grammar Girl’s guide on dashes.
Where should brackets be placed when adding an editorial note inside a quotation?
They said, "They [the reviewers] disliked the play," and moved on.
They said, "They the reviewers disliked the play," and moved on.
They said, "They [the reviewers] disliked the play" and moved on.
They said, "They [the reviewers] disliked the play", and moved on.
Brackets are used to insert editorial clarifications within a quotation. Option A correctly encloses the clarification inside the main quotation with commas inside the quotes. The other options omit or misplace punctuation. See the APA Style blog.
How do you punctuate a quotation that spans multiple sentences?
She said, "I will go tomorrow. I hope it's not too late."
She said, "I will go tomorrow. I hope it's not too late.".
She said "I will go tomorrow. I hope it's not too late."
She said, "I will go tomorrow. I hope it's not too late".
When quoting multiple sentences, you start and end with double quotation marks and include internal punctuation normally. Option A correctly shows both sentences inside one set of quotes. Other options misplace end punctuation. For more, see the Purdue OWL.
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon related to a quotation tag?
He said, "It's breaking," he said; "we need to fix it."
He said; "It's breaking," he said "we need to fix it."
He said: "It's breaking," he said; "we need to fix it."
He said, "It's breaking"; he said, "we need to fix it."
A semicolon can join two related independent clauses when one or both contain commas. Option A correctly uses the semicolon after the dialogue tag. The other choices misuse semicolons or colons. See the Purdue OWL on semicolons.
Which sentence correctly punctuates a series of quoted terms?
The terms "alpha," "beta," and "gamma" were all tested.
The terms "alpha", "beta", and "gamma" were all tested.
The terms "alpha," "beta," and "gamma," were all tested.
The terms "alpha," "beta," and "gamma" were all tested.
When listing quoted terms, commas go inside the quotation marks for all but the final item in most American styles. Option A is correct. The other options misplace commas or add an extra comma at the end. See The Chicago Manual of Style.
Which sentence correctly handles two levels of quotation and their punctuation?
She said, "When he texted 'Meet me at 5,' I was surprised."
She said, "When he texted 'Meet me at 5', I was surprised."
She said, "When he texted 'Meet me at 5,' I was surprised".
She said, "When he texted 'Meet me at 5' I was surprised."
In American English, the comma for the quotation inside the quote goes inside the single quotation marks. Option A shows the comma correctly inside the inner quote and the period inside the outer quote. Other options misplace commas or periods. For more, see the Purdue OWL on nested quotations.
How do you punctuate a quotation when the sentence itself ends with an exclamation and so does the quote?
Did she really scream "Help!"?
Did she really scream "Help!"!
Did she really scream "Help!"?
Did she really scream "Help!"
When both the sentence and the quoted material end in exclamation or question marks, you include both marks. Option A correctly places the exclamation inside the quotes and the question mark outside. The others either duplicate or omit the necessary punctuation. See Chicago Manual of Style Q&A.
0
{"name":"Which sentence uses commas correctly with quotation marks?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which sentence uses commas correctly with quotation marks?, Where should the period be placed in the following sentence? He said, \"I'll call you tomorrow\", Which sentence is correctly punctuated?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Apply correct punctuation in quotations -

    After completing the practice quotations exercises, readers will be able to place commas, periods, and question marks accurately within quoted text.

  2. Distinguish key quotation rules -

    Readers will learn to differentiate between dialogue punctuation, quoted titles, and nested quotations during quotation practice.

  3. Implement proper capitalization -

    Users will know which quotation has the correct punctuation and capitalization and apply consistent capitalization rules to opening and closing quotes.

  4. Analyze quiz feedback effectively -

    Participants will interpret immediate feedback from the free quotation quiz to identify and correct their common punctuation mistakes.

  5. Enhance self-editing skills -

    Readers will use targeted quotation practice to proofread their own writing for accurate use of quotation marks and related punctuation.

  6. Build long-term punctuation confidence -

    By engaging with our practice quotations quiz, learners will boost their confidence in applying quotation marks and punctuation across various writing contexts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Comma and Period Placement -

    In American English, commas and periods always go inside the closing quotation marks, while British English often places them outside unless they're part of the quoted material (Purdue OWL). For example: "I love punctuation," she said. Practicing these conventions helps in every practice quotations exercise by cementing consistent rules.

  2. Question and Exclamation Marks -

    According to the Chicago Manual of Style, put a question or exclamation mark inside quotation marks if it belongs to the quoted material and outside if it applies to the whole sentence. For example: Did she ask, "Is it time to go?" versus "Is it time to go"? he wondered. This key point often appears in your quotation quiz to test which quotation has the correct punctuation and capitalization.

  3. Capitalization Rules -

    The first word of a complete sentence in quotes should be capitalized, per the MLA Style Center, while fragments keep their original case. For instance: The sign read, "No entry beyond this point." vs. The guide called the rule "strict but fair." Mastering this rule boosts confidence in quotation practice tasks.

  4. Nested Quotations -

    When quoting within a quote, use double quotation marks for the main quote and single marks for the nested quote (APA Style). Example: She said, "When I heard him shout 'Stop right there!', I knew we were in trouble." Memorize "double first, single inside" as a handy mnemonic for your next quiz.

  5. Using Ellipses and Brackets -

    Use ellipses (…) to indicate omitted words and square brackets ([ ]) to insert clarifying information, following guidance from the Oxford Style Guide. For example: "She … [then she] realized the truth." These techniques are essential in advanced quotation practice and often featured in challenging quiz questions.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

English & Grammar Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker